davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10
Assessment Insurance.

1t ought to be pointed out, apropos to a
discussion on the merits of certain ASSESS
ment life insurance association that has
been going on in the columns of the Herald,
that the public would do well to take large
promises of profits that may be held out
with many grains of allowance if not of
suspicion, When it is said, as it has been,
that members of an association who have
contributed $500 are in a few years in a po-
sition to draw out $1,000 the question nat
urally suggests itself, Where does this sur
plus of 500 come from? Even supposing
there were no death losses paid, it would
need, at current rates of interest, quite a
generation for $500 to compound itself into
$1,000. If the gain does not come from in
terest, it must come from the fact that some
of the members have not been fairly treated,
but have been compelled to pay very much
more than their due proportion. There is
no financial jugglery in insurance by which
a dollar invested can be honestly made to
pay more than one hundred cents and a
small rate of interest,-BoSton Herald.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10
A Great Question.

1t is true that there are worse things
in the world than surplus in the treas
ury, but if this amounts to very large
sum it shows either that a greater
amount of revenue is being collected
than can be put to any practical use or
that too little money is being expended
for the general welfare. AT the pres
ent time the question is not strictly a
party one, though sooner or later the
two great parties will be quite likely to
take distinct positions upon the issue.
Many suggestions are offered as to the
best methods of disposing of the sur
plus and preventing undue accumula-
tions in the future. 1t may we'll be
doubted if majority of the people will
indorse the plan of depriving any
home industries of needful protection
by radical reduction of the tariff. The
plan of abolishing the internal revenue
taxes is opposed by many republicans
as well as democrats, but there is much
to be said in its favor. Senator Dawes
recommendations to reduce the duty
on sugar and abolish the tax on tobacco
meet with much approval. The taxes
on spirits and tobacco are war taxes,
which are not imposed to protect any
industry but to raise revenue, and they
are no longer needed for that purpose.
We can see no force in the argument
that the retention of these taxes is in
the interests of temperance. If the
revenue derived from them is still
needed for legitimate purposes of the
government that is another matter.
We find in the Troy Times long
argument in favor of retaining the ex-
else taxes and suggestions as to how
the money should be expended. The
Times would have liberal appropria-
tions made for the army, the navy,
coast defences, Notifications, ordnance
plants, an interoceanic canal by the
Nicaragua route and subsidies to
steamships. In the present state of
the country an enlargement of the
military establishment does not seem
requisite. The government is already
supplied with money for increasing
the efficiency of the navy. The people
will not sustain the policy of construct
ing public works at their expense in a
foreign land, even though they secure
absolute sovereignty over the territory
in which the work is located Such
projects had better be left to private
enterprise. AS to appropriations fol-
the other purposes named, these might
be as large as needed and still not use
up the surplus.
A New York banking firm has pre-.
sented new plan for reducing the ma
tional surplus, but we do not under,
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10

an increased majority and that the re-
publican victory will be complete.
There is no question about Iowa and
Massachusetts, continuing republican.
In Virginia there will be fierce con-
test. The National Republican says
there is but little doubt that Virginia
will elect a republican legislature and
send republican to the senate to
succeed Mr.. Riddleberger. Maryland
will be democratic, as usual. In Iowa
the legislature will elect successor to
Senator James F. Wilson and there are
several men anxious to fill his place.
1t is thought that Senator Beck of
Kentucky may not be able to secure a
reelection, as there are several strong
aspirants for the position.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10
Concerning Lager Beer.

Does it pay to drink lager? Let this ques-
ton be answered by the fact that Joseph
Doelger, who came hither poor immigrant,
left million. There are nearly eighty rich
brewers in this city, the leading specially
being lager. The brewers had an immense
stock of this article on hand at the begin
ming of the season, and they have been
manufacturing it ever since in order to
meet the demand occasioned by the hot
weather. The consumption of lager is
greater than ever, and yet it is really the
worst of all summer drinks. This is due to
the fact that ingredients are used to increase
thirst, hence a lager-drinker never has
enough The more he drinks the greater
his craving. In this manner the drinkers
pocket is emptied, while the brewer be-
comes a capitalist. There are topers here
who will drink three gallons, and in some
instances five gallons OF lager in a summers
day, and even then go to bed thirsty.-Ne'C
York Letter.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10
The Mugwump Catechism.
New York Tribune. ]


Q.-Why did we mugwumps decide to
support Cleveland in 1884?
Ave steadily asserted that we decided
to support him largely because we regarded
him as sincere and earnest civil service
reformer
Q.-Has he justified our belief in him in
that respect?
Ale has not. His circular to Office
holders designed to keep them out of poll
tics is a dead letter; he defes public senti-
ment by retaining the stencil known as Gar
land in his cabinet he has awarded to
democratic victors about all the spoils they
have asked for.
Q.-What, them is the plain duty of us
mugwumps-to abandon him or TO make eX-
cuses for him?
A.-Our plain duty is to make excuses for
his desertion of the cause of civil service
reform.
Q.-Are we mugwumps that sort of indie
pendents?
Ave are that sort of Independents.
Q.-Explain this point little more fully.
A.-Our independence is of the sort that
leads us to be fearless and unsparing in our
denunciation of republican shortcomings,
but to roar only as gently as a sucking dove
with sore throat when it comes TO our own
particular democratic gored bull.
Q.-What, then, shall Hdrper'S Weekly do?
A.-Hdrper'S Weekly, after weeping pro-
fusely over Cleveland's civil service reform
op'o'ooy hhuSp Wy no Ny'o anu iNhi"ih thuu
after all sin expressing disappointment it
is but justice not to imply dstrust."
Q.-And what shall be the New York
Times card?
A.-The Times, while arraigning the Presi-
dent for his treachery TO civil service reform,
must deny that he is as black as Hdrper'S
Weekly paints him and must point out that
he " desired at once to carry out the reform
and trust his own party, but the party has
not been sufficiently inspired with the re-
form spirit to make complete success pos
sible."
Q.-And what tune shall the New York
Post sing in this trying emergency?
A.-The EUening Post, after sadly inquir-
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10
A PerniciOus System.

The civil service reform agitators in
this country have dwelt much upon the
superiority of the British civil service
over ours, and they want to establish
our system, as nearly as may be, upon
the same plan. Mr.. Robert p. Porter,
who has been investigating things in
Great Britain with great thoroughness,
finds that the civil service of England
is worse than that of the United States
before the reformers began their work.
In fact, he finds that the former is an
odious system. 1t is controlled by a
lot of old barnacles who have outlived
their usefulness and lost their desire
for work, but who nevertheless con-
tinue to hold their positions at good
salaries. A large portion of the real
work of the departments in England is
done by what are known as " writer's"
who are paid thirty shillings, or about
$3.50, per week. These men are en-
ployed by the hour and " temporary
teppenny," as he is called, is banded
about like a shuttlecock from one de-
partment to another. No matter how
much ability these men have, they
never rise, and some of them have been
known to remain thirty years in the
service at this rate. In the barnacle's
profession the higher a clerk mounts in
rank the less he has to do. The chief
clerk, as a rule, is fixture that does
nothing at all. In the public service
the more pay implies the less work,
until stage is at last reached where
the only onerous duty devolving on a
clerk is to sign the quarterly receipt for
his S. 600 or $4,000 per annum. The
underlying vice of the British system is
idleness and lack of ambition. An
official knowing that he can hold his
office for life takes less trouble to make
a good record for industry and efficiency
than would be the case if he was liable
to be rotated out of his position. Sick
leave is never counted as service lost,
so that good number of these clerks
are absent for weeks at a time on the
pretense of sickness and yet draw their
full pay. BY demanding costly and
rigid examination for clerks the best
positions are reserved for "sons of
gentlemen" who have university
education or the advantages of " cram
ming" 1t is demanded that men
should know Latin and Greek and
higher mathematics, and then they are
put for the rest of their lives doing
little addition sums, fddling over the
details of the custom-house returns or
copying stereotyped letters. 1t is lit
orally impossible to dislodge lazy
fellow or fool, and only for the most
outrageous misconduct can dismissal
be brought about. Mr.. Porter says
that it is useless to say the civil service
employees are out of politics in En-
gland and have no political influence.
AS rule they combine and throw their
strength to the party that will strengthen
their position and help them to increase
the barriers between the public and
the exclusive caste, not of oflice-holders
but of barnacles, who believe they have
a divine right to hang on forever to the
ship of state. 1t is certain that we dc
not want reformed" civil service
system modelled after that of Great
Britain.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10

stand that this would do more than to
provide for present conditions. They
ask for an immediate reduction of the
bonded debt. They say one hundred
fifty millions could be used in this way
and reduce the interest account by
many millions, even if the government
were obliged to pay a good bonus for
taking up the immature bonds. Nearly
three hundred forty millions of money
drawing no interest are now locked up
in the treasury. Even the two hundred
million dollars of this legally necessary
as a reserve to redeem United States
and national bank notes are, it is
thought, not wisely detained and the
law ought to be amended to permit
their output. If the one hundred mill
ions set aside for the redemption of
United States notes be retained, IL is
argued that like amount against ma
tional bank notes is not required. None
of these notes will appear for several
years at least, or until the national
banks 90 out of existence as banks of
issue either by their own volition or
by the expiration of their charters. We
have an outstanding debt of over one
thousand millions, and the interest
yearly amounts to nearly forty-five
millions. To reduce this by using the
locked-up surplus, their circular says,
would set business going in lively
way. OF course all this is to some ex-
tent problematical, but it may be
worthy of attention.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10

THE Essex, n. Y, correspondent of the
Troy Times says: " A tremendous storm Of
rain and wind accompanied by heavy thun-
der, passed over Essex Tuesday evening, the
ID, causing destruction in a number of
places to buildings, crops and fences. The
steamer "A. Williams, encountered the
storm near Split Rock, south of Essex, with
a crowd on board returning to Port Henry
from Barnum's show at Burlington, and
was compelled to cast anchor until the fury
of the storm had passed. At Cedar Beach,
opposite Essex, a summer resort for Bur
lington people especially, considerable dam
age was done. Cottages were unroofed and
blown down"
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10

in use, curves, bridges, stations or anything
else pertaining TO the roads. Later they
will hold conference, make report and
decide what recommendations in the way
of repairs and improvements they will
make to the railroads.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10

Mormon apostles, has assumed the presi-
dency of the church temporarily. The per-
manent choice is TO lie between George O.,
Cannon and Joseph Smith, nephew of the
original Joseph Smith. The original Joseph
Woodruff is eighty years old and has been
hiding from the law officers for two years.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10
DIsBURsEMEN Ts.



Agricultural College fund represented by
state bonds falling due June |, 1890 in
terest payable to the College semi
annually l.........
Temporary loan. 1886. Observation-Disclosures.
There is also liability to towns for United
States surplus fund, and to soldiers for
unpaid balances, and suspense account
(old outstanding checks of about .......
Due on appropriation for Gettysburg mon
ument and grounds. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10
State Finances.

We are indebted to Hon. William ii.
Dubois, state treasurer, for the following
statement showing the revenue and dis
bursements of the State of Vermont for the
fiscal year ending July 81, 1887:
The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-10
RESOURCES.

Cash on hand and in banks. ............ ....
Estimated amount of tax from corpora
tons for the coming year...........,.....
Estimated amount from the tax of twelve
cents on the dollar on the grand list of
1887 assessed by the legislature ...........
Estimated proceeds from sale of balance
of Huntington fund securities. ...........
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-07-19
A BOLD GAM e.
How a Woman Sold a Team She Did
Not Own.

Last Saturday Mr.. H. f. Thompson, the
Cumberland street livery stable keeper, paid
$40 for horse and carriage. he bought
the team of a woman who said she had no
further use for it. The woman first came to
the stable without the team and offered to
sell it. She said the horse and carriage were
up on Fox street out Mr.. Thompson need
not take the trouble of going up there as
she would get the team and drive around to
the stable. In about an hour the woman re-
turned, driving good-looking bay mare, and
the ale was made. But the team did
not ONE from Fox street, for instead
of going there the woman went to Hayes
stable on Plum street and there an employee
let the team to her which a few minutes
after she sold to Mr.. Thompson.
Mr.. Hayes naturally suspected something
wrong when his property was not returned,
and notified the authorities that the team
was missing. OF course the supposition was
that the team had been driven out of town
but yesterday Mr.. Hayes was surprised to
learn that it was still in the city, and Mr.
Thompson was probably not so agreeably
surprised when he discovered the true fact;
in the case. Mr.. Hayes got his team, but tho
woman and the $40 are missing.
When the woman hired the team she gave
the name of Annie O'Neil She is about 81
years old, weighs probably 100 pounds, is Of
medium height and light complexion. She
was well dressed and said that she had livet
near the Park.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-07-19
For Mount KIneo.

Arrangements have been fully completed
for the pilgrimage of st. Alban Commando
ry to Moosehead Lake. The Sir Knights
O'Clock sharp The line will be formed
and the Commandery move from Exchange
street promptly at $780, for Congress street
railroad station, accompanied by Chambers
Band. The committee announce the follow
ing itinerary:
Leave Congress street station by special
train at s o'clock sharp; arrive in Bangor
at II O'Clock, noon; dinner at PenOb-
scot Exchange on arrival. Leave Bangor at
o'clock; arrive at GIeenville, foot of lake,
at O'Clock; take steamer, arriving at Kineo
House in season for supper.
On Wednesday will be opportunity for
boating, fishing and excursions about the
mountains. Wednesday evening, prone
made concert in the large and elegant uarlors
of the Kineo House, music by Chambers
Orchestra.
Thursday, excursion on steamer about the
lake to various points of interest, leaving
kineo House at a. m, returning in season
for dinner. Thursday evening, band con-
cert and dancing.
Friday morning leave Kineo House at a.
m; arrive in Bangor about 1.30 p. M, where
st. Johns Commandery proposes to extend
their usual knightly courtesy by receiving and
escorting the party to their Asylum to partake
of dinner, after which will be short pa
rade, under escort of st. Jhon's Commando
ry. Carriages will be provided for the la
dies and friends OF the party, who will be
shown about the city. Leave Bangor at about
Up; M, arriving in Portland at about IL
O'clock
Sir Knights will make provisions for their
ladies to be at Congress street station
promptly at 7.45 a. m.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-07-19
The Relcher Will Case.

The Belcher will case win be argued be.
fore the Law Court in Portland this week
1t will be remembered that at the hearing
before the Probate Court at Pennington
Judge Morrison set up the will and appoint
ed President Cheney executor. To this de.
cision the heirs made an appeal to the SUI
preme Court, and the case came up at the
March term for Franklin County. The coun-
sci for the College have made a motion for a
change of venue. Judge Emery decided
that he had power to change a venue only in
civil or criminal cases. On this ruling the
council for the College made an appeal to the
Law Court. The argument for the College
will be made by Judge Symonds, that for the
heirs by S. c. Strout, Esq. President Chen
ey is in the city and will be present at the
hearing
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-07-19
The Recruiting Service.

To keep the ranks of the United States
Army full the government establishes at
suitable places stations for the recruiting of
men. These stations are maintained as long
as men ready to enlist are found in the vicin-
ity. When the supply of future soldiers in
any locality stops, the station there is dis
continued and moved to another city. This
has been done at Harrisburg, Pa, and the
station there moved to Portland. As has
been stated, First Lieutenant C. c. Cusick,
of the 22d Infantry, has been placed in COM
mand of the rendezvous in this city. Lieu
tenant Cusick has just completed nineteen
years of frontier service, and is veteran of
the civil war. He was for time associated
in thelSth and 23d Army Corps.
Under command of Lieutenant Cusick
will be recruiting party composed of men
selected from the regular army. The Office
OF the recruiting officer is at AZ IL Exchange
street, and the men under his charge will ar
rive early next week. 4s5 ...,,..-.... /.
AT present Lieutenant Cusick is busily en-
gagged in putting things in shape. The gov
eminent property belonging to the station
has arrived, and the preparation of the
necessary proposals for contracts for the
subsistence of the men connected with tie
Office is going on. When the work 9f recruit
ing commences, the mep canvass the city and
vicinity, not to solicit enlistments, but to put
before persons disposed to enter the service.
tne Conditions upon which they may do so.
lie recruiting will be for the infantry, cav
airy and artillery branches of the service.
All the recruits are subjected to examina-
tions as to their physical and moral fitness to
become members of the army,
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-07-19
Hannah c. Hanson.

Mrs. Hannah G. Hanson, the notice of
whose death appeared in our issue Of Satur-
day last, was well known resident of this
city for many years. She was born in An
dover Me-, and was the daughter of Captain
James F. Bragg, pioneer in his town, and
native of Andoyer, Mass. She removed to
Enrol, N. H., when nine years of age, and
subsequently to this CITY, She was united in
marriage to L. d. Hanson, who was, at the
time Of his death a prominent wholesale
dealer in boots, shoes and leather. Her hus-
band died in 1857, and since 1868 she has
made her home with her son, Rev. c. V.
Hanson, of Damariscotta. She was a wo-
man of marked energy and decision of char
acter, and led an active and useful life. She
died of paralysis after a long illness. The
funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, and
was conducted by Rev. A. X. P. Small, ID.
d., of the First Baptist church, of which
the deceased was formerly member. She
leaves two sons, the one above named, and
Geo. II. Hanson, who is in the shoe business
in Lynn, Mass.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-07-19
SUBURBAN NEWS.


The total valuation of the town of ST.
brook in real and personal estates amo ats
to S2.2S2,0O0, which is large increase over
last years valuation. There are 1900 polls.
The rate of taxes is $3.50 on 500. The tax
lists will soon be placed in the hands of the
collector.
Mr. M. I. Merrill of Portland is preparing
to erect two-story block, 40x40 feet on
Main street, to be located on land
between the residences of DIR. N. r. Martin
and Mr.. W. w. Cutter. The lower floor will
tenements. Messrs Woodman and Robinson
hold the plans and specifications. Work on
the structure will soon commence.
Mr.. w. w. Cutter is preparing to build a
two-story dwelling house, 33ax33 feet, on the
new street laid out near the Portland and
Rochester Railroad.
A number of other buildings will be
erected late in the season.
Improvements are being made on the old
brick block occupied by Mr.. James Pennell
and other business parties on Main street.
The long platform with its broad steps has
been removed, and with it the loafers' favor
lite retreat. There is noticeable improve
ment in the walls of the building and its
surroundings. A like revolution will shortly
be made at the main entrance of the Ccngre-
gational church.
Deputy Sheriff Chute made another raid
on the liquor shops last Saturday and car
ried away several vessels containing intOxi-
eating liquors. K.
YARMOUTH.
Mr.. Sawyer, who has been lame for many
years, fell while going into his house and cut
his head in two places quite badly.
Peter Oaks, while haying Saturday after
noon, had cash cut in his head over four
inches long. Several stitches had to be
taken.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-07-19
BRIEF JoTTiNcS.

Cloudy and rainy yesterday, with an east
wind, and mercury at 640
The Yantic sailed for the eastward yester-
day.
The Law Term will begin in this city to-
day. Several of the judges arrived last
night.
The yachts Alice, Captain Watts; Sea
Bird, and Bohemian. are anchored at Peaks
Island.
Agent Sawyer pulled up herdic driver No.
is Sunday for driving lame horse, and Or
dered the horse taken out.
The wooden front that has covered the
new Oxford building on Middle street was
taken down yesterday, revealing handsome
business block
Mr., Dresser of the Ocean House, left his
horse fastened in the market in this city by
a hitch weight yesterday morning. The
horse ran away and smashed the wagon
badly.
Yesterday was splitting day at the police
station. A large amount of seized liquors
was destroyed, including 65 barrels of beer
and ale, over 100 dozen bottles of lager, and
100 gallons of hard liquors.